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-   -   A Triumph Swordfish 1500 - On The Road (https://madabout-kitcars.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6550)

Paul L 19th November 2017 15:38

A Triumph Swordfish 1500 - On The Road
 
[Mark Evans] Hello my car building chums and welcome to A Triumph Swordfish 1500 - On The Road. [/Pete Mate]

Well, I figured I might as well start this new thread off with the same old joke that started my original build thread. :icon_wink:

Technically, my car first became road legal on 31st August 2016, but it was still in primer at this stage.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Cq...=w1154-h865-no

This certainly didn't stop me enjoying over 8 months of driving the car around and racking up 1,000+ shakedown miles before paint.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PA...=w1154-h865-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/33...Q=w645-h859-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/m0...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Nf...=w1146-h860-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yL...=w1152-h864-no

Traditionally, painting the car is part of the build, so I didn't want to start an 'On The Road' thread until the car was painted.

On the 18th November 2017, the car passed its second MOT (the first MOT expired during the painting process).

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wi...=w1151-h863-no

But it then proceeded to rain for the rest of the day. :rolleyes:

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Sunday Morning
I've decided to leave the paint finish as it is for now, but I may try to polish it properly at some point in the future.

It was pretty cold on my driveway this morning as I was experimenting with layout options for my 'sponsor' stickers.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TY...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xb...=w1151-h863-no

The good news is that I quickly realised that 'less was more' and only used the TAG & Shell ones.

Unfortunately, putting on the racing numbers turned into a complete nightmare of a job.

My first attempts on the passenger side just would not lay flat along the bottom edge.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Kj...=w1151-h863-no

Thankfully, I ordered four roundels, but no longer plan to fit any front & back, so I had a spare.

The spare went on much better when I moved it up the side of the cockpit a little and I thought it looked great. :cool:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZD...=w1151-h863-no

But whatever I tried on the driver's side failed miserably and I ended up ruining all the remaining roundels. :rant:

At least you will now be able to judge for yourself if you think the car looks better with, or without, the numbers.

End of Part 1…

Paul L 19th November 2017 15:40

Sunday Afternoon
I then went for my first proper drive and ended up in the local industrial estate to take some photos.

I keep saying this, but one day I will remember to straighten up the suspension after I climb out. :doh:

First up, the racing number comparison:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pC...=w1151-h863-no

I would need to order some new numbers and I think they would need to be slightly smaller to cope with the curved cockpit sides.
( Plus I would ask the guy who makes them to fit them for me after the mess I made this morning. )

And here are a few more photos. :cool:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RW...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VB...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/s4...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/y1...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Bj...=w1151-h863-no

I then took the car for a quick a blast along the A40/M40 to help clean out the engine/exhaust pipes a bit more.

The clear blue skies looked a lot warmer than they actually were at 70mph and the exposed parts of my face got very cold.

But given how long I've had to wait for this drive I wasn't going to complain and, as usual, the car is still spreading joy wherever it goes. :D

Until next time, take care, Paul. :)

molleur 19th November 2017 16:42

Looks fantastic with or without the roundels.

JG 19th November 2017 18:34

With roundels......and paint it blue whilst your at it.






















Only jokin :horn:

:smokin:

deggsy 20th November 2017 12:47

Super Paul absolutely Super you're making me very jealous but I'll get there one day! Time for you to enjoy all your hard work

scimjim 20th November 2017 20:30

Love roundels but I wouldn’t have that colour or font (but it’s not my car :kiss: )

Paul L 21st November 2017 14:12

Moulleur, JG, Deggsy & scimjim - Cheers chaps. :cool:

I always knew that using Barry Sheene's old number might be a bit marmite.

But it is something that reminds me of my mis-spent youth on two wheels.

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Lighting Up A Dull Day:
The roads were damp, the sky was grey, but it wasn't raining, so out I went...

First stop was to the sign shop that did my racing numbers before.

They loved the car and offered to print up some replacements while I waited. :cool:

Not easy to see in the photos, but the original ones had a black layer on top of the yellow.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_g...=w1151-h863-no

Whereas, the new ones have been printed as yellow and black in one go.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_...=w1151-h863-no

Reducing the diameter by about an inch and a half should make them easier to fit.
( Plus this allowed three roundels to be printed in a row across the width of the material to save time & money. )

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8r...=w1151-h863-no

Note: The new ones are 'toned down' a bit and actually match the yellow and black road signs they were working on when I arrived.

Unfortunately, the guy had to dash, so I will have to apply them myself one of these days.

Next stop was the petrol station, before I finally ended up in Sainsburys.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GZ...=w1151-h863-no

But I took another photo from the passenger side when I got home.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/y2...=w1151-h863-no

I know it is a matter of personal choice, but I do prefer the side with the number on it.

To be honest, I get the same positive reaction from people on either side of the car as I go along.

Best quote over the last two days of driving came from a small boy "Wow! That's a Lamborghini." :D

Until next time, take care, Paul. :)

PS
I think Mister Towed started the tradition of photographing your car in a super market car park.

But now everyone is doing it. :rolleyes:

https://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/660/...it_09-copy.jpg

:icon_wink:

molleur 21st November 2017 15:35

Well done Paul. I do like the new roundels better!
Barry Sheene would be proud!

DaveP 22nd November 2017 07:13

Hi Paul,

My initial thought was don't do the roundels but now seeing both sides I prefer it with them. It's your car though so my opinion is merely that.

You need something to key against the yellow nose and the numbers do just that!

Well done that man.

Dave

PS I expect you to say at a later date "yes Dave a metallic purple Kobra is exactly the right colour"

Mick O'Malley 23rd November 2017 08:44

Can't say I'm a fan of the whole continental seven thing, I much prefer our English ones, and I'm a remainer! Roundels do set off the racing car look very well though, a nice addition, as are the understated stickers. I think the icing on the cake would be black and white plates to complete the retro look. I remember flicking my main beams on just to see the reflection back in '68 (?) each time I saw a parked car bearing them. Little things................

Regards, Mick

Paul L 23rd November 2017 14:39

Moulleur - Thanks. :cool:

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Dave - Well I have seen some very nice metallic purple Cobras.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ca/a2...88f620fcca.jpg

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Mick - The good news is that it is easy to switch to traditional white roundels at a later date.

Unfortunately, my donor car is 1980 and is still too young for class black and white plates. :icon_sad:

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The sun has got his hat on…
but the wind has blown his hat right off! :eek:

Put the new driver's side roundel on and it was pretty straight forward this time around.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/c1...8=w647-h863-no

Then peeled off the old passenger side roundel and out a new one on that side too.

This leaves me with a 'spare' and as they are smaller, it might work on the bonnet.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tC...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/J0...w=w647-h863-no

But that is definitely a decision for another day.

Instead, I took the car out for a quick spin to take a few more photos.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ec...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/za...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4z...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ce...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tR...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GD...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6n...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Qo...=w1151-h863-no

Finally, a quick stop at Sainsburys on the way home.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Pz...=w1151-h863-no

Until next time, take care, Paul. :)

molleur 23rd November 2017 15:05

Awesome Paul!

micky1mo 23rd November 2017 18:44

PaulLYour car's looking good as usual :eusa_dance:
How are you getting on with the bonnet lifting at speed??

With the bonnet straps in place my Alpha's bonnet tended to "pant" at speed but I sorted it with a pair of bonnet pins.

https://i.imgur.com/jdhXJSvh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/VgqikXUh.jpg

They hold the bonnet very well and cut down on the road rattle of fiberglass on fiberglass. :smokin:

softfeet 25th November 2017 12:04

Lights and Horn
 
Paul

I have really enjoyed your build thread. Your car looks amazing, and seeing all the work and tenacity that went into building it was fascinating and, frankly, inspirational.

Now that you are using the Swordfish 'in anger', I would like to offer what I hope will be seen as helpful advice.

As an ex-biker, you probably already drive with dipped headlights on all the time. The Swordfish is absolutely tiny by modern standards and is a dark colour. With so many cars now having daylight running lights, there is a danger of your car being visibly lost and not seen. The highest point of it is probably below the window line of many SUVs. So please consider using dipped headlights all the time.

Also, make sure it has a very loud horn - I seem to remember from your build thread that it does. There was an amusing anecdote on Locostbuilders a while back about a Locost nearly being reversed into by a BMW X5 in a petrol station when the X5 driver decided to use the pump behind him and was not aware the tiny Locost was there. The X5 stopped just in time when the Locost driver sounded his loud horn.

Anyway, sorry for the rambling post and I look forward to more tales of the Swordfish 'in the wild' and its continuous development.

Regards

David

Paul L 26th November 2017 13:06

Molleur – Cheers. :)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Micky1Mo – I did have a problem with the bonnet ‘flapping’ at speed when it was in primer.

But I fitted two ‘cabinet’ locks during the painting process.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lP...=w1152-h864-no

These ‘hook’ under the bonnet lip in the bodyshell, which itself hangs over the Spitfire bulkhead.

I’ve only taken the car for one quick blast at motorway speed and this seems to have fixed the problem.

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softfeet – Thanks for your kind words David. :cool:

The car has a pair of ‘high’ & ‘low’ tone horns that combine to wake the dead when used. :eek:

It may sound odd, but, unless there is poor light, I am not actually a big fan of daytime running lights.

Almost 20 years of motorcycle riding taught me to assume that I wasn’t seen and drive accordingly.

I certainly take account of how small/exposed the car is when I am driving around.

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Coughing & Spluttering:
In this case, I am not talking about an engine misfire, but my own hacking cough & head cold. :rolleyes:

So, despite some clear blue skies recently, I can’t take the car out for a spin as it will only make me worse. :icon_sad:

Hopefully I will be fully recovered by next week, cheers, Paul. :)

molleur 26th November 2017 14:02

Rapid recovery Paul, too much fun to be had!

Paul L 1st December 2017 17:39

Molleur - Thanks.

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December?! :eek:

Unfortunately, I am still feeling rubbish, so no 'open air' driving for me. :icon_sad:

Although I did put my hat and gloves on to start the engine this afternoon.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Dl...=w1151-h863-no

The engine turns over very slowly when it is trying to start when the temperature outside is this cold, but, thankfully, it still fired up. :cool:

I now need to start getting my act together for Christmas, which is about to sneak up on me if I don't watch out.

Until next time, take care, Paul. :)

retro200 1st December 2017 21:15

!proper job "
 
nice job paul , you got there in the end after all your hard work :eusa_dance:,it looks to have just the right finish/patina to me for the style/era of car, now time to enjoy when it warms up a bit !!! regards, mick .

Paul L 8th December 2017 18:59

Retro200 - Cheers. :cool:

Whilst the final 'aged' paint finish owes more to luck, rather than judgement, I'll take it for now.

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Wind Chill:
In the end, I had to go to my GP for some antibotics, as my cought just would not go away.

So, with a slim chance of some snow arriving soon, I figured it was now, or never, for a quick blast.

Unfortunately, whilst the forecast said it was around 3 degree, they did mention the wind chill.

In fact, it was often colder sitting at traffic lights that it was driving along, although that was pretty fresh!

Don't let the sunshine fool you, it was not a Summer's day.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1e...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pL...=w1151-h863-no

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Shake, Rattle & Buzz
In other news, I have been trying to cut down on the noise my bag of tools in the boot was making.

So, I've bought a couple of tool rolls…

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yS...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rd...=w1151-h863-no

And a slightly smaller bag which I can cram everything tightly into.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LF...=w1151-h863-no

Then I bungied it into place in the boot with what is left of the yoga mat.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/eJ...=w1151-h863-no

That takes care of any side to side movement and I just need to sort out a way of preventing it jumping up & down.

I was so cold when I got home, I forgot to take a photo of the area causing a 'buzz' in the cockpit, so I'll cover that next time.
( But it was a big relief to work out what was causing it. )

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And Finally…
A big thank you to Micky1mo who send me a pair of old Lucas reflectors.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/q3...=w1151-h863-no

I have to use my LED reflectors to double up as my fog lights.

But with a bit of luck, they will be the same size as these and I can use the rubber and chrome surrounds. :cool:

Unfortunately, the covers were back on the car before the post arrived, so I will check them another day.

Until next time, take care, Paul. :)

micky1mo 8th December 2017 19:17

I can't think of a better home for them. :yo:


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